A mail carrier, Leo Alston, was honored by a Royal Oak community for 25 years of being their mailman with surprise: painted signs on every lawn. Photos by Erin Hampton / Special to the Daily Tribune

ROYAL OAK >> Over two-and-a-half decades, residents of a neighborhood have enjoyed a personal relationship with their mail carrier.

So those on Kenwood Avenue in Royal Oak who appreciated this unique relationship thought it was about time to show him how much he was appreciated.

On Wednesday, Kenwood residents surprised their mailman, who they simply know as Leo, on his daily route with 50 signs on lawns painted with messages of love and adoration.

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Leo Alston, who didn’t see it coming, was in smiles as he approached the thankful and joyous group.

“I wasn’t expecting this today,” said Alston. “Thank you for this show of appreciation.”

He said that he has known the families so long that he feels like a part of the neighborhood.

“This is the nicest thing I have experienced on the job,” Alston said.

The night before, neighbors gathered at the Center family’s driveway and painted signs for Alston to see the next day. Leona Center, a 27-year resident, said that she wanted to do something for Alston and brought it up at a neighborhood prayer meeting. She said their love for Alston brings them all together.

“It’s more than just celebrating Leo,” said Center. “It brings the neighborhood together and lets us share a common goal. We may not have much in common, but we all love Leo.”

Center said that Leo has impacted her children’s lives in a major way.

He daughter, Danielle Center, 27, said she wrote about him for one of her college applications.

“The essay was to write about someone special to me that has impacted my life,” said Center. “I was actually accepted to the school, although, I didn’t end up going there.”

She added that she and her brother used to have a paper route around the neighborhood — very similar to Alston’s route. She said this is where they all became friends. Her brother, Joshua Center, said that eventually, his friends got to know Alston as well.

“Even people who don’t live in the neighborhood know him and want to know about him,” said Center.

Many residents had their own stories to tell.

“I see him everyday almost,” said 53-year resident, Bob Pokowski. “He always waves to me and he’s a lot friendlier than most. He will stop and talk, but he always does his job.”

John Angello, who has lived there eight years, said that the carrier always has a kind word and a smile on his face.

“When you know a person like that, it makes you a better person,” said Angello said.

Margie Lynd said once she and her husband were expecting a paycheck that never came.

“He went back to the post office, found it, and brought it back to us,” Lynd said. “He is just a really good guy.”